Lake Alakol Islands (23303)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Lake Alakol Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.1667, Longitude: 81.8167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 348 to 439
Area of KBA (km2): 72.49927
Protected area coverage (%): 33.49
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises a group three islands - Ylken Araltobeh (Bolshoi Kamennyi), Sredniy and Kishkineh Araltobeh (Malyi Kamennyi)- situated in the north-eastern, and deepest, part of the lake, 10 km to the west of Kabanbai (Zharbulak) village. The islands form an archipelago 17 km in length and 1.5-6 km in width. They are formed of Paleozoic bedrock and the gravelly upper portions are covered with vegetation typical of stony deserts, with a preponderance of xerophyte herbs such as Artemisia terrae-albae, Salsola arbuscula, Nanophyton erinaceum, Eurotia ceratoides and Kochia scoparia. There are also scattered patches of Tamarix. The northern faces of the islands are gently stepped terraces and the northern and western shores consist of rough rock outcroppings or cliffs. On Ulken Araltobeh island there are three small lakes resembling lagoons that, at the right time of year, are used by nesting and moulting waterfowl. Srednyi island is the focal point for colonial breeding waterbirds. This island has a hill with a smooth top rising 53-60m above the water.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The rocky islands of Alakol lake are renowned as regular nesting grounds for a variety of colonial waterbirds including several with the regional and/or global protection status: Oxyura leucocephala, Aythya nyroca, Larus ichthyaetus, Larus relictus and Pelecanus crispus. The 2006-2007 counts were undertaken in June-July.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The archipelago is included in Alakol State Nature Reserve (Zapovednik). All areas are free of any economic development or activity bar scientific research and conservation.
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Desert | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Recently, a substantial threat to the tranquility of the islands’ ecosystems has arisen from a rapidly developing tourist industry. The unlicensed exploration of the islands by recreational groups can endanger colonial waterbird breeding success.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Berezovikov N.N. Birds of Alakol Nature Reserve// Transactions of Alakol State Nature Reserve. Almaty, 2004, V.1, P. 199-256. (in Russian)